Aden
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Introduction
A black volcanic massif jutting into the blue waters of the Gulf of Aden, the Aden peninsula lies on the southwest coast of Arabia, 100 miles east of the straits of Bab al-Mandab. Because of its strategic location on the trade route between India and Egypt, its protecting backdrop of mountains and its sheltered anchorage, Aden was settled by man far back in history. The Old Testament, in Ezekiel 27:21-23 (6th cent. B.C.), mentions Aden among the trade partners of Tyre, a Phoenician port on the Mediterranean Sea. The Old City of Aden is situated is situated in the crater of a dead volcano. An elaborate system of rainwater storage tanks, partly cut out of the living rock, is the oldest evidence of human activity.
Aden is believed to have been the main harbor of the pre-Islamic kingdom of Awsan, and after its annexation by the kingdom of Saba at the end of the 5th century, it continued to play an important role in connecting Africa with the Gold and Incense Road of Arabia. For many years there have been ambitious plans to establish a free-trade zone and to take advantage of the port’s excellent location to attract container transshipment traffic. By transshipping at Aden, main-line ships calling at the port can save three days in comparison with extra steaming required to reach ports in the Arabian Gulf.
Physical layout
The Aden peninsula is
flanked to the east and west by large bays. To the east is the old city and
harbor, called Crater. Just offshore is Sirah Island, a triangular rock with a
castle.
The Eastern Bay silted up before the British came, and in 1860, the old harbor was replaced . The modern harbor lies between the peninsulas of Aden and Little Aden and measures about 15 km east-west by 7 km north-south. The Tawahi (Steamer Point) and Ma’alla sections , built in European style under British rule, lie on the banks of Western Bay, separated from Crater by the mountain ridge of Shamsan(1725feet) . Tunnels cut through the rock lead from Ma’alla to Gold Mohur , an area on the south side of the peninsula, which has been developed as a beach resort for tourists.
Hotels
The Aden Hotel, reopened in 1990 and operated by the Movenpick group , has once again given Aden a hotel of international standard. The Crescent hotel in Tawahi used to be very popular during the British period, and has recently been refunished. The Gold Mohur Hotel was severly damaged in 1994 and is being rebuilt . There are ambitious plans to build several new international hotels in Aden as part of the economic development of the area.
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Communications
Post offices located in all city quarters are open from 08:00 to
13:00 hours. While there is a local delivery service, foreigners use the
P.O.Boxes of their respective organizations for receiving mail. Airmail to and
from Europe takes between one week and three weeks . The local telephone system
is adequate, but new private lines are difficult to obtain . International
Services are provided by Teleyemen.
International lines with direct
subscriber dialing are now more readily available . Card-operated international
calls -reasonably priced, fast and reliable - can be made from Teleyemen’s new
facilities in Ma’alla, and Crater .
Aden is part of the cellular
telephone network, owners of portable cellular telephones could access other
cell phane owners any where in the network, as well as the national trunk
system.
Banking
Entertainment and Culture
Arab culture in Aden is very lively. Music and theater performances attract large audiences, a sign of the Adeni’s worldliness and love of culture. Arabic and foreign plays in Arabic are staged frequently.
Cinemas featuring Arabic, Western , and Indian films are popular. Aden television (channel 2) occasionally run programs in English, including Westen films. There are some music clubs in the 5 star hotels where you can enjoy Arabic music. Swimming is the most popular sporting activity (for Yemeni men) besides football , which is a favorite of children who play in the streets. A number of beautiful small, sheltered sand beaches all around the peninsula offer opportunities for swimming and other aquatic activity.
The Bureika Club in Little Aden has tennis courts and a football field . For those who like hiking , a climb up Mr. Shamsan (1625ft) is most rewarding . It offers a panoramic view of the peninsula and Bay of Aden.
The Tawila Tanks and Sirah Tower are other spots for an outing inside Aden.
